Spiral Sunspot
Explanation: Spiral
galaxies abound in the universe, but spiral sunspots are definitely an
unusual twist. This distinctive spiral-shaped sunspot caught the attention of National Solar Observatory astronomers and
was photographed on February 19, 1982 with the Vacuum Solar Telescope on
Kitt Peak. Sunspots appear dark only because they are relatively
cool - about 4,000 degrees compared to the 6,000 degrees
Celsius of the surrounding solar surface. Associated with surface magnetic
fields, their numbers increase and decrease in a regular pattern tracing the Solar Activity
cycle. A maximum in sunspot numbers occurs every 11 years with the next
maximum expected around the year 2001. This sunspot
was actually about 50,000 miles across (Earth's diameter is about 8,000
miles) and held its shape for two days.
